Fun Facts About the Name Thomson
- 245 babies named Thomson: U.S. records list 245 babies given the name Thomson from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Thomson Mean?
Thomson is an English and Scottish patronymic surname meaning "son of Thomas," now also used as a given name. It combines the personal name Thomas with the suffix -son, from Middle English and Scots son, "son," which goes back to Old English sunu. Thomas itself comes from Aramaic t'oma, "twin," a name that passed into Greek as Thomas and then into Latin as Thomas. The surname does not mean "twin"; it identifies the bearer as a son of a man named Thomas.
Thomson Name History & Origins
Patronymic surnames formed with -son became hereditary in England and Scotland during the later Middle Ages. Early bynames of this kind changed with each generation; a man known as Thomas's son might have a son known by a different byname. Over time, families began to keep the surname, and spellings were standardized. The personal name Thomas was rare in England before the Norman Conquest and became common afterward, helped by the cult of St Thomas Becket after his murder in Canterbury in 1170.
The surname Thomson is one of several patronymic forms from Thomas; Thompson is the more usual English spelling, while Thomson is especially associated with Scotland. Both go back to the same construction, Thomas plus -son, and the difference is spelling and regional convention rather than a separate origin. As a first name, Thomson is a transferred surname rather than a traditional given name with its own medieval history.
How Popular is the Name Thomson?
Thomson has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2016. Its best rank was #3,514 in 1943.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #13,694 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2023 | #12,092 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2021 | #13,876 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2020 | #13,851 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2019 | #13,927 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2017 | #14,057 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2016 | #6,027 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 2015 | #10,516 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2014 | #8,061 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 2013 | #13,858 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2012 | #10,642 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2009 | #9,769 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2008 | #10,925 | 7 | 0.0003% |
| 2007 | #14,193 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 2006 | #10,543 | 7 | 0.0003% |
| 2005 | #8,234 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2004 | #11,209 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2003 | #8,555 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2001 | #8,247 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2000 | #6,785 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1999 | #9,793 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1998 | #6,787 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1997 | #9,154 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1995 | #7,722 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1994 | #10,110 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1993 | #10,016 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1991 | #6,458 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1990 | #8,032 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1987 | #6,030 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1986 | #7,726 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1985 | #7,494 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1984 | #6,247 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1982 | #6,324 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1959 | #4,520 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 1948 | #4,145 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1944 | #3,854 | 5 | 0.0004% |
| 1943 | #3,514 | 6 | 0.0004% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Thomson Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You like to control everyone within your influence, to shape things to your own liking. If positive, you develop high spirituality, as you have a God's protection. You are sensitive, affectionate, imaginative and cooperative, spiritually aware and prone to self-sacrifice. You can keep secrets and are a good diplomat. You may have healing and psychic powers. You are frank, methodical and believe in law, system and order.
You are seeking freedom, opportunities to enjoy life: to make love, to go places and to do things. You are very adventurous and willing to take risk to achieve your objectives. New ways and new experiences can't satisfy your restless nature. One adventure leads you to another. You are honest and fair, because you know that this is the only way to receive justice and honesty from other people. But your personal growth is vital for you, and it is difficult to be tied down by rules and obligations. Your restless spirit might best controlled by choosing the field of work that meet your demand for action and adventure.
✦ Thomson's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Thomson's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.